Texas Bucket List

Texas Bucket List

Simmons Bank

The Texas Bucket List – Number 1 British Flying Training School Museum in Terrell

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Terrell – Terrell, Texas feels like your typical town here in the Lone Star State. Its historic downtown is usually buzzing with business, but back in the early 1940’s, it was a plethora of planes buzzing the sky that created commotion. To learn more about why this area was so active with airplanes, we headed where else but the airport to visit the Number 1 British Flying Training School Museum.

“I like history. I’m passionate because Terrell is my hometown and I didn’t learn about the school and the people here until I came after I retired… That it affected so many people that I knew,” said Rudy Bowling. Rudy is the executive director of the Number 1 British Flying Training School Museum, and he grew up in Terrell when this school played a vital role in World War II.
“This is a four year period that was very important to Texas, and the United States and Great Britain,” he explained.

This small airport was constructed back in 1941 to train British cadets how to fly. It was built before the United States involvement in the war through the Lend Lease Act, which allowed the US to supply military aid to foreign allies while remaining neutral in the conflict. More than 2,200 Royal Air Force pilots earned their wings here.“We were a microcosm of two cultures coming together. The young men that came from 3,000 miles away to a place that they thought still had Indians and Cowboys everywhere. They were a little disappointed when they got to Terrell,” said Rudy.

But the cadets where not disappointed by the Texas hospitality. “The locals took them under their wing. They knew they were far from home, so they tried to give them something to do on the weekends. They supported them. So, there’s a real connection between the culture of England and the culture of Terrell, Texas,” he explained.

“Everybody we know, our grandparents were involved, they were helping train British soldiers go and fight,” said local, Kaitly Bray. “They were thousands of miles away from home and the people of this town opened their homes and their hearts and treated them like their own children,” added another local, Beverly Mardis. “To Terrell, it means quite a bit,” said Army veteran, Carl Nelsson.
“We brought them into our homes. We shared holidays with them, we taught them to fly and to defend their homeland. And they needed that ally and we were there for it,” said Kaitly.
“I’m so proud of the hospitality that this town showed during that time,” Beverly expressed.

Cadets trained in PT-17s and the AT-6, which is a plane appropriately named the Texan. For six months, they were taught by civilian instructors. Some of the cadets that came through here included men such as Robert Hardy, who would later become an actor in movies like Harry Potter, Thomas Round who would end up being a opera star and even a few Americans trained here like Lieutenant Richard Hill who had the unique distinction of earning two sets of wings. “I want to show you this very unique situation here. This is a uniform coat from an American cadet here at the school. His regular Army Air Corps uniform. And if you’ll notice it has two sets of wings on it. The American set and the English. And the reason for that is that this school taught under the British Syllabus. And if he learned under the British Syllabus, they decided, the powers that be, that he could wear the British wings on his other pocket. And it was kind of a mark of honor for them to get to do that,” explained Rudy.

When you look at the faces that came here you realize how young these brave men were. “They were very young, they were very young,” confirmed Carl. “I look at the faces of the kids, literally kids that were here. All of those cadets that were here and they’re my grandchildren’s age… My heart just clutches every time I think about my kids going off to do the things that these men did,” said Beverly.

When these pilots flew down interstate 20, they had to put themselves in another place in order to get an idea of what it would be like flying over Europe. The school made a map that would represent that distances between cities in the old world with towns here in Texas and close by. “This is a representation of a training map that they used here at the school, during the war. And on it, Terrell represents London…Terrell to Berlin, which is very close to Pine Bluff, Arkansas. And that gives people, especially visitors, an opportunity to make it relative… [From Dover to Dunkirk] 15 miles…Very, very close,” said Rudy. “And you’ll notice that England fits nicely within the state of Texas with a little overlap into Oklahoma [and that is starting in between Waco and Dallas].”

Getting such a detailed look at this little-known story of World War II is an inspiring tale of true courage. Many of the men who went on to fight in the war, sacrificed their lives to preserve their way of life and it all started right here in the Lone Star State.

“My respect for them knows no bounds,” said Beverly. “It’s not just a story about England and Texas, or England and America, and it’s a story about people,” Rudy explained. “They were being devastated in a faraway land, we made them feel at home. We made them comfortable. We brought them into our homes and celebrated holidays with them. And then we trained them to do their best to fight the war. We were their allies,” said Kaitly. “They felt empowered to go fight the war because they felt they had been trained well while they were here in Terrell, Texas,” confirmed Rudy. “It’s another level of pride in who we are as Texans to know that we participated in this,” added Beverly. “Thank you, for what they did,” concluded Carl.

The Texas Bucket List – David Adickes Art Studio in Houston

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On an overcast Houston morning, the towering skyscrapers of the space city seem to reach for the stars, through the clouds, as the rush hour commute commences.  In a town where bigger and bolder go together, the skyline has some amazing architecture and it pairs perfectly with some huge works of art that are hard to hide. History is a huge part of the Lone Star State’s pride and culture, and for those who also subscribe to the adage that everything’s bigger in Texas, David Adickes’s art studio in Houston is the perfect destination. Showcasing some of the most massive sculptures in all of America, the studio is an outdoor exhibition comprised of hand-sculpted busts of some of America’s most iconic former presidents. “It’s hard to get rid of them. Yeah. Can’t bury them, got to have a big hole”, joked Adickes.  Texas artist David Adickes created these huge heads of state and has them stored at his studio which happens to be completely surrounded by superhighways, making it feel like you’re in a fish bowl.  “I feel like that also. It’s the noise that gets me, but inside you don’t hear it that much”, said Adickes as we moved into his building.

Born in Huntsville in 1927, David’s art has been around the block for a while and we’re not just talking heads. David’s talents have taken him all over the world and even earned him a personal friendship with President George H.W. Bush.  “I spent the night in the Lincoln bedroom as president Bush 41’s guest”, reminisced David. “Oh yeah. I saw him a lot, a lot of letters exchanged back and forth”, he said fondly.  David created the bronze of former President Bush that sits in the airport, but his art is not all about the biggest office in the land. He likes to create all sorts of sculptures, which has kept his long career busy and eclectic.  “Well, I have a condition called ‘bitimus chewicus’. Means biting off more than you can chew”, he joked.

If you’ve ever explored H-Town you’ve probably come across David’s art. The Virtuoso in downtown, the Big Ol’ Beatles at the 8th Wonder Brewery, as well as the “We Love Houston” sign are all signature Adickes’ pieces and are also some of the most instagramed sites in the city. “Are you on Instagram at 93,” I asked him during the interview.  “I don’t think so. I don’t know what it is”, David replied with laugh.

 

David’s biggest accomplishment, is just that. BIG. In his hometown of Huntsville stands a 687-foot-tall statue of Sam Houston, staring down the constant stream of SUVs on Interstate 45. It’s the tallest statue of an American anywhere, and it’s the tallest standing sculpture in the United States of a real person. “Why was it important for you to make Sam so big? Just because he’s bigger than Texas, I joked. “That’s part of it”, he said. “Plus we wanted to be impressive. We wanted to be iconic, so it is an icon”.

David graduated with a degree in mathematics and physics from the Sam Houston State Teachers College, now known as Sam Houston State University. He served in the Army Air Corps at the tail end of World War II and spent two years in France from 1948 to 1950.  It wasn’t until he spent this time abroad and saw the incredible art and architecture there that he knew he just had to try his hand at sculpting.  “That changed everything. I learned to speak French and chase French girls and caught a few”, he said with a reminiscing smile.  “Sounds like a horrible way to live”, I joked. “Terrible”, he responded quickly.  “How far out is your schedule right now? How many years in advance are you having work”, I asked considering his age. “From now? Oh, 10 or 15 years”, he said.  “So you’ll finally be done when you’re 108″, I joked. “I don’t do the math, but yeah”, he said with a smile.

Despite being 93 years young, David still makes his way up the stairs of his home to his artist studio to paint every day.  His sculpture work has slowed down significantly, and eventually his collection of heads will head to Huntsville for a permanent display. But for as long as he can, David plans on keeping his studio open, free of charge, to curious crowds looking to walk amongst his king-sized Commander-in-Chiefs.

“I’m flattered when people come and look at them. The whole point in doing them is that they are to be seen. If they were hidden someplace, there would be no point in doing them. Same with art, painting. As long as it’s in your closet at home, what good is it to anybody? You’ve got to get it out and be seen”, he said.  “It’s like reading a good book or hearing a good joke or hearing good music, it gives you pleasure. The pleasure is mine”.

So if you’re meandering around Houston anytime soon, make sure to check out the David Adickes Art Studio, and keep your eyes peeled for the rest of his iconic creations around town. As always, tune in with us next week for more must-see places, people, art, and music right here on The Texas Bucket List.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Texas Bucket List – Waymore’s Liquor Store

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Littlefield— Former country music star Waylon Jennings began his life and career in the little town of Littlefield.  Sitting high on the Llano Estacado, finding a libation in this little town isn’t as laborious as picking the cotton in these parts.

All you have to do is drive to the center of town to visit Waymore’s Liquor Store where you’ll find one of the town’s native sons.

“James D. Jennings…I just happen to be Jimmy Jasper James D, that’s what my daddy called me. [I go by] James Jennings…Or whatever will get me in the door,” joked James Jennings.

James has a unique connection to one of the most celebrated singers of country music— he’s the last living brother of Waylon Jennings.

“I’m the third one down… there’s Waylon, and Tommy, and me, and then my younger brother, Bo, we called him, Phillip Dole was his name… Last man standing, like Willie’s got that song, I guess, yes,” said James.

Waymore’s is way more than just a liquor store, it is a sanctuary of special things relating to the relationship James had with Waylon.

“I needed somewhere to put this stuff I had,” he said.

Don’t’ let him fool you, James loves telling stories about his big brother.

“You know, you get to sit and watch somebody more or less get plum out of a cotton patch right to where he made it in country music. I’d say that’s pretty neat,” he said.

It all starts in an old house just north of town where Waylon Jennings was born in 1937. Back then, Bob Wills was King and cotton farming was commonplace.

“We [were] just dirt poor people,” said James. “My daddy, he would be out in the farm working somewhere, and we’d go with mama to the cotton patch, she pulled cotton, but when you’re poor, and you’re growing up and everybody around you is in the same shape over there where we lived at, you don’t realize it. You think… everybody else is the same way, but they’re not.”

“And this is Daddy, and this is Tommy, and that’s Waylon, and I’m the hood ornament. And see them guns right there? That’s what they got for Christmas. Mom and Daddy got him on Kodak. Saved her money up, when she took that picture… that was on Christmas day,” he recalled as he pointed to a family photograph.

By the time James came around, Waylon was already playing guitar. At the age of 12, he had his own local radio show and would play with anybody, anywhere he could.

“Anybody that was involved in music that could go out halfway keep a beat, well he had them as a band member,” said James.

The early memories of Waylon’s career in country music makes James feel like a kid again, but when talking about the 70’s and 80’s, when James was able to experience life with Waylon, that’s when things got interesting!

“It’s 1,056 miles from here to Nashville, I can tell you,” said James.

“Waylon was going at it pretty hard, but he was just a hell of a good ol’ boy,” he said. “He liked having fun, having a good time, and don’t bother nobody, don’t hurt nobody, but just don’t take [nothing] off nobody.”

Turns out Waylon was exactly as you’d imagine him.

“There’s two or three things I can tell you about Waylon. His first love in his life was that guitar. His second love in his life would getting on that stage and singing and entertaining. His third love was chasing women,” said James.

Then there were the Highwaymen.

“Got your money’s worth out of that show, I promise you,” said James. ”That’s me, my wife, my step daddy, mama, Tutsi, Jesse Coulter, and June Carter Cash. We went to Mirage in Vegas, at the Highwaymen tour. It was [a] sure good show.”

James continued to recount his memories of his time with Waylon in the country music world.

“You sitting on the bus, and Hank Williams Jr. comes out there, and and sits around the bull, and Johnny Cash. You get sat around, and listen to them guys talk, and talk to them, and they visit back and forth, and every one of them that I ever met were just good ol’ boys. Most of them are, well I don’t think they was quite as poor as we wer maybe, but they was brought up on red beans and fried taters just like we was, and they know what it’s like, and they’re just good ol’ boys, just got the talent to sing. God give it to a few. He didn’t give it to all of us,” said James.

Before you know it, you’re talking about all the hits and the show that started your Saturday morning.

“Dukes of Hazzard…I get gobs of people come in here talking about their Dukes of Hazzard car, and getting in front of the TV, and playing Dukes of Hazzard, jumping everything with it,” said James.

Getting a chance to hear firsthand accounts of what life was like for the Jennings and all the music legends they got to live life with makes Waymore’s Liquor Store a lively stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“We have a lot [of people] for this [the museum], and well, we sell a lot of liquor, too,” said James.

The Texas Bucket List Check It Twice – USS Lexington in Corpus Christi

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Corpus Christi⁠—Back in 2013, we took you down to Corpus Christi to visit the USS Lexington. This amazing aircraft carrier built in the early 40’s is a true marvel to explore, so when we found out they added something very unique to the ship, we figured it was about time to check it twice!

“Most of us naval aviators have a big attachment to the ship you did your first landings on and Lexington was the home for most of us,” said Rocco Montesano.

One the very first season of The Texas Bucket List, we meet Rocco Montesano, the executive director of the USS Lexington. The former Navy pilot served for 27 years and worked on the Blue Ghost for 20 years. In 2018, the man who loved this ship set sail for the sea in the sky, but his inspiration lives on.

“A lot of times you can’t drag your kids to a historical monument so we have to make ourselves more of an attraction. A fun place,” said Rocco.

“He was a mentor of mine, a friend, and a just an incredible guy. We miss him dearly,” expressed Steve Banta.

Steve now fills the sizable shoes Rocco left behind. Fortunately, the former Navy captain is holding the ship steady by continuing the mission.

“We are always looking for ways to make this place relevant. It’s important for us to preserve the history of the USS Lexington and then share that with all of our guests,” he said.

The crew decided to take it up a notch by adding an escape room that gives brave visitors an escape from reality.

“It’s the only one that’s on a historic aircraft carrier in the entire world,” said Steve.

“The idea of trying to escape from an actual World War II aircraft carrier seemed to me very cool,” said Rodolfo Magnus.

Rodolfo is the technical advisor on the ship and he was locked into the idea of adding this engaging expansion.

“When I approached them in the beginning it was ‘Oh, you’re crazy. It’s not happening,’” said Rodolfo.

“I was a little skeptical just because I wasn’t sure. It was brand new for us, but the fact is he has been very successful in his ideas with us in the past, and…it was a worthwhile experiment,” explained Steve.

“So this is the entrance to the escape room area of Lockdown On The LEX. We have our first mission. Beat the Blast… A guy stowed away on board the ship. He’s got a nuclear bomb and you’ve got to defuse it,” said Steve.

If you’ve never been in an escape room, the basic concept is you must use clues in the room to advance to the next room and eventually escape. Some can be extremely detailed and without a doubt, this escape room has an all too real feeling and deals with subject matter that actually pertains to the ship’s history.

“This ship’s last operational mission was in the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962. So the basic story is there’s a guy, his dad, a Russian guy, was disgraced by the Cuban Missile Crisis. They did not get what they wanted. The son grew up knowing that, he’s bitter about the Lexington, and so he has stowed away on board the ship, smuggled in a nuclear bomb and he’s allowed you to have one chance to help and solve it, so that you can save the day,” said Steve.

“I think it was a brilliant idea to tie the escape room story to the actual history of the ship. So then we had to think about how to tie it to real events that happened on this ship,” said Rodolfo.

“We love sharing the history of this amazing ship, but there are people who maybe aren’t into museums and history, but they’re into these kinds of games. And so we’ve got this whole new demographic that comes on board,” said Steve.

“So when the timer goes off and you start, you hope that the team will work together by separating and finding things and telling each other what they’re finding… if we’re not communicating you’re not going to make it out,” he said.

“You will operate real Naval equipment that sailors used onboard this ship, radar scope, communications gear. It might help to know Morse code.” said Steve.

“It’s a unique opportunity to interact with real World War II equipment inside of a real World War II aircraft carrier,” added Rodolfo. “In all my life I wanted to have a big countdown clock over a bomb. Well now we have it.”

So if you’re into history, teamwork, and unique adventures that make you think, experiencing the escape rooms of the USS Lexington, it’s all hands on deck on The Texas Bucket List.

“This ship, I mean it’s an icon for the local area,” concluded Steve.

“You can have a lot of fun aboard this magnificent piece of a US history,” remarked Rodolfo.

“Come for the fun of it and we’re going to slip some education and history while you’re here,” said Rocco Montesano.

The Texas Bucket List – Cave Without A Name in Boerne

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Boerne—Kendall County sits on the Edwards Plateau and has some of the most quintessential hill country in the state, but below the beauty on the surface of our state, lies a cavern with another incredible landscape.

“We’re in the middle of the hill country and it’s great,” said Jesse Hilger.

Jesse Hillger built bombs for the air force for 14 years, but today explores this explosion of exquisiteness known as the Cave Without A Name.

“I love it. It’s great… You can easily spend two, three hours down there and think it’s only 30 minutes,” said Jesse.

The second longest running showcave in Texas, the Cave Without A Name, was officially discovered by James, Harold, and Mary McGrath in 1938.

“They didn’t expect to discover an amazing cave down there, but they did,” Jesse explained.

In 1940, the Cave Without A Name took the title of Cave Without A Name after a local contest was held to name the cave.  One 9-year-old boy claimed the cave was too pretty to have name, so it has been known that way ever since.

The McGrath children first encountered the cave while chasing a lost sheep, and the first few feet down they came across a moonshine shelter.

“We’re pretty sure that this was the area. If you look on the ceiling here you can see a lot of discoloration….Probably would have been for quite a few years as well…to get so much soot on the ceiling,” said Jesse.

Just a bit further down in the dark was something much more impressive.  Keep in mind, the kids who discovered it did not have a nicely constructed stairway to get there.

“So we’ve gone down about 126 stairs, and here’s our cave,” Jesse said.

80 feet below the ground are six massive caverns with all sorts of curious features that have formed over thousands of years.

“When the limestone was created, that was in the early Cretaceous period and dinosaurs were actually still roaming the earth at that time. They couldn’t actually roam right over this area though, because this used to be the seafloor,” Jesse explained.

This marvel made over time almost looks man made, until a closer look is taken at the incredible formations formed over millions of years.

“So over here we have two really cool formations. The white formation right there is a really unique, a stalagmite. We call that one Modern Art, because people see different things, and some of the different things people normally see are mushrooms or jellyfish… Now this formation that’s in front of it, that one kind of looks like a nativity scene,” Jesse pointed out.

A little further down the line sits the throne room, a subterranean brook, and pools of water surrounded by sediment basins.

“So in this room we have some more stone rim ponds…These lower ponds actually fluctuate with the amount of rain that we get,” said Jesse.

Along with these beautiful pools is the best food reference found below ground.

“We have what I’ve been told is the longest piece of cave bacon in Texas. It measures over 20 feet,” said Jesse. “My nephew came down here a couple of spring breaks ago. He was about four years old at the time, and he told me he didn’t think he could eat a full piece of it.”

So if you have a hunger for some subterranean adventures, The Cave Without A Name is well worth getting below ground for on The Texas Bucket List.

The Texas Bucket List – Riley’s Tavern in Hunter

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Hunter⁠—Smack dab between San Marcos and New Braunfels is an oasis situated between two railroads tracks in the tiny town of Hunter, Texas.

Hidden between the trees is a watering hole with one heck of a story.

“You’re not going to find a more authentic bar,” said bartender, Cody Hilder.

“I call it a Hill country gem. It’s what I’d call it,” said customer, Larry Jones.

“It’s a whole mess of things to come together that make it a happy place,” said Joel Hofmann.

Joel is a 4th generation Texan and the owner of Riley’s Tavern. It’s the oldest business in these parts, housed in a building built in 1895, and holds a very distinguished historical designation.

“It’s the oldest tavern in Texas,” said Cody.

“Well, it’s a sense of pride for me, especially being a Texan,” confessed Joel.

In August of 1933, when Texans repealed prohibition and popped a top, Riley’s Tavern took home the very first license issued by the state of Texas⁠—Number 00001.

“Yes, there are bars…that were open prior to prohibition that reopened or… turned into a social hall… [or] dance hall…that didn’t serve at that time. But the designation of the first after prohibition still stands because it’s the first license that was issued,” said Joel.

A young J.C. Riley drove to Austin with his uncle to get the license.

“He wasn’t really supposed to get the license, his uncle kind of got it for him because he was 17 years old. And so he managed the place under his uncle’s ability to get the license for it,” continued Joel. “We always have that crazy uncle that lets us do that kind of stuff.”

Riley owned the Tavern for 58 years until he took to the big bar in the sky in 1992.

Joel took over in 2004 at the age of 25.

“I’m the third owner, the second longest tenure,” he said.

“They’re great people and they’ve really done Riley’s, justice,” said customer, Larry.

“It feels the same way it would’ve if you walked into it 20 years ago, 30 years ago, 40 years ago, even 85 years ago,” claimed Cody.

“It’s a great feeling when you can make people happy and enjoy just a few minutes of their day by coming here and unwinding a little bit,” said Joel.

Being a former musician, Joel wanted to make sure the tavern stayed true to its roots and constantly brings in bands to perform in the perfect Texas setting.

“That is our main goal…to get a lot of music many nights of the week as we can…Supporting them, giving those folks a place to play, a place to make money, a place to get their music heard, is a big deal,” he explained.

“Joel does a really good job at keeping it real American roots music,” said Cody.

“Keeping the tradition going and that’s a good thing,” confirmed Larry.

“We try to support music, good music, local music…touring music, honky-tonk music, you know music that has roots, bluegrass and blues and soulful music. Not what you turn on the FM radio music any longer. That’s a…source of pride,” said Joel.

But there can be a bit of a conundrum considering where the saloon is situated in between the train tracks.

“Yeah, it’s no big deal. Walk outside, oh the train’s there. I’ll go back and have another beer,” said Larry.

“I’ve heard bands play along with the train whistle when they play outside, just just added into the song and so that’s really cool,” explained Cody.

What really down home about Riley’s is its old school Texas feel. A simple Lone Star State lounge with live music, cold beer, and national historic register sign.

“You can actually check out some real Texas history here,” said Joel.

“It’s the kind of bar a bar would go to,” commented Cody.

“If you’re a true Texan, this is true Texas here,” said Larry.

The Texas Bucket List – Naegelin’s Bakery in New Braunfels

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New Braunfels – As a new day arrives in New Braunfels, there’s some new folks who found a not-so-new bakery in the middle of downtown. The smell of warm baked bread and morning snacks has radiated from this really old building for a really long time, but it wouldn’t be possible without a baker or two.

“Well, it’s a lot of early morning hours,” Ross Granzin said.

Ross has been working at Naegelin’s Bakery since he was 16, and the four decades he’s been here only accounts for a quarter of this business’ history.

“It’s been here 148 years in this same place,” Ross said.

Founded by Edouard Naegelin in 1868, the business was built on modest means.

“He came with what they said was just fifty cents in his pocket, one bag of flour,” Ross said. “He started his bakery here.”

Ross’s father bought the bakery back in 1980 from Clinton Frank, Edouard’s grandson.

“I think he stayed for 8 months just trying to show us the ropes and everything that we needed to know,” Ross said. “I learned a lot from him, I’m glad I got that experience with him.”

Being a baker, Ross gets here really early, usually around four in the morning.

“I live about 20 minutes away and I get about 25 minutes til,” Luke said. “Like I said, we don’t talk much in the first hour.”

His team rolls, twists, slices, and glazes everything before the first roster realizes it’s the morning.

“I got about nine bakers back there and they get goin,” Luke said. “We get it out fast. That’s what we’ve always prided ourselves about, there’s not a whole lot of full line bakeries anymore and make the older style stuff that we still make.”

It’s not just strudel, sweet buns, bread, and bear claws that Naeglin’s is known for, they also make hamburger buns for local restaurants and even tortillas.

“I have a lot Spanish ladies that always say to me, man, I haven’t made in tortillas anymore cause I like y’alls so much,” Luke said. “I said ‘Really?’”

Toast is probably frowned upon here, but this is the toast of the town and perhaps even worth toasting to.

“Growing up in New Braunfels, I would come here on Saturday mornings when they were just getting the donuts and the baked goods out of the oven,” Ron Perry said. “I remember that smell. It’s like nothing else in this world.”

Ron has many memories of mornings here baked in his brain.

“I’d save up my money throughout the week, I’d come in and I’d get the donut holes, they were three cents each, I’d get as many as I could afford at a bag full and I’d sit out there on the curb and just scarf them down,” Ron said. “That was living the life.”

Ron served in the Navy for 31 years, so he’s seen the world. The first place he visited when he got home was this bakery.

“It was great, it was great cause so much has changed,” Ron said. “When I left in the Navy, it was population about 14,000. Now we’re right about 70-80,000 is what I hear. So much has changed and grown. Business and friends have moved on and disappeared. It’s nice to have some things that were there and still here. That really make New Braunfels unique in what it is, it’s such a special place.”

He’s not the only one with special memories of this place.

“This is my childhood,” Patricia Perez said. “This is my adulthood. This is my kid’s childhood. My parents visit here. They were born and raised here as well so, Naeglin’s means a lot to us.”

If you’re looking for some fresh dough and Texas history, Naegelin’s Bakery in New Braunfels is a can’t miss stop on the Texas Bucket List.

 

“Proud of that,” Patricia said. “There’s heritage here. It goes long and it goes deep. It’s really rich. I’m very proud to have them here.”

The Texas Bucket List – The Uvalde Opera House in Uvalde

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Uvalde – In the middle of Uvalde sits a lot of history and one big building on this block has a backstory that’s greater than a baritone’s range. Down in Uvalde you’ll find an ol’ opera house built back in the 1890’s, but to this day folks are bring down the house with some sweet music. You just never know what kind of talent you’ll find in it.

“Uvalde has a lot of local talent, a lot of good local talent,” Nancy Bennett said.

Nancy Bennett and Toni Hull have been performing here at the Uvalde Opera House longer than The Phantom of the Opera has been performing on Broadway.

“Yeah, we go way, way back, further than I like to remember right now,” Toni said.

These two local ladies are part of the long story of this long-standing opera house.

“They’re a big part of what we do,” Rosie Whisenant said. “They’re a part of Toni and a part of nearly every show that I do. I’m constantly calling her and I’m like, ‘Can you please come and play the piano?’ She never says no.”

Rosie is the opera house manager, and she runs the show here.

“It sounds fancier than it is,” Rosie said. “There’s a little more janitorial work involved than I like, but it’s all good.”

She was born in Texas but lived in England for over 20 years until the chance to work at her old home town theater opened up.

“I thought I might stay in England for a while but this job came up and it was too good to miss,” Rosie said. “I came back and I’m really glad that I did. I love Texas.”

Rosie didn’t offer us a drink, but she did quench our thirst for knowledge about the second oldest opera house in the state of Texas.

“This was built in 1891 and it was built by six businessmen,” Rosie said. “They were the Real Estate Board here in Uvalde and they decided they wanted a place of entertainment and this town was super tiny so for an opera house this big to be here was very unusual.”

Graduations, balls, and Vaudeville acts were the most common occurrences at the opera house until 1917. Former Vice President of the United States and Uvalde native John Nanae Garner bought the building and worked out of the cupola room, even during his tenure in nation’s capital.

“He had his desk in the window there because he liked to look out at ‘his town,’ as he called it,” Rosie said. “You can see the courthouse, City Hall, the post office, the crossroads and the Market Plaza, so you can see everything from that window.”

After Garner passed away in 1967, his estate took over the building until 1979.

“The Garner heirs sold the building to the city for $10 so it’s a city building now,” Rosie said.

After a major push to restore the building, it was reopened in 1982.

“A lot of the stuff was in disrepair,” Rosie said. “A lot of the theater stuff certainly was gone so in terms of it being a functioning venue, all the original seats were gone. There was a lot of disrepair and the building was open so people would just walk through it. Historically, it’s a huge piece of Uvalde. It is one of the oldest buildings here in town. It’s on everybody’s logo, website, home page, poster of Uvalde. It kind of represents us.”

The most popular part of the place sits perched on a pole, a peculiar piece of art not really pertaining to any kind of Texas history or purpose.  It is simply a dragon that architect B.F. Trister might have breathed fire or blown some smoke to create.

“B.F. Trister when he finished designing the building, the myth is that he decided to go out and celebrate once he finished,” Rosie said. “He had a few too many drinks and he scribbled on the plans. When he handed the plans over to the contractor, they decided that the scribbles were a dragon. He’s called the drunken dragon because he was a drunken mistake. He’s not supposed to be there but we like him, so he can stay. He keeps the ghosts away.”

The original dragon rests its’ wearing wings in the lobby after being popular for target practice over the years, but the mythic monster made of metal still likes to sit amongst the sweet sounds of serenade coming from the stage.

“When you’re singing or you’re performing, all you can think about is trying to remember the words and the notes,” Nancy said. “It just takes you away.”

Take some time to see some local Texas talent and take in the history of the second oldest opera house in the Lone Star state at a stop that strikes the right note on The Texas Bucket List.

“When I’m on that stage, hopefully I’m bringing people some joy and taking them away from whatever might be an issue in their life at the time,” Nancy said. “It’s just a win-win deal. If you haven’t been in an opera house and you haven’t been in live theater, you haven’t lived.”

The Texas Bucket List – Shepard’s Barber Shop in Conroe

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Conroe – Just off the square in Conroe, Leon Apostolo takes a little off the top while talking someone’s ear off at a unique barber shop.  For a long time, he’s worked at Shepard’s Barber Shop, a barber shop with bountiful history that’s been open for over a century.

“This is the old part of Conroe right here,” Leon said.

Leon’s been in this building for a long time and he’s carrying on a tradition that’s as unique as having a good hair day during a humid afternoon in July.

“Barber’s been good to me,” Leon said.

For five decades, Leon’s had a chair to call home at Shepard’s Barber Shop, but he didn’t take over the business until 2013.

“I went to barber college when I was 16, and I started working here August 1 of 1978,” Leon said. “This is the only barber shop I’ve ever worked at. When I started working here, haircuts were like four dollars.”

Even before Leon was a budding barber, Shepard’s had a long history.  Their history is even longer than some of the hair it saw in the 60’s!

“It’s part of Conroe’s history,” Leon said.

Shepard’s has a very unique distinction.  

“They classify it as the oldest continuous barber shop in Texas,” Leon said. “Pretty cool. Pretty cool.”

Built in 1912, this building a been home to bunch of barbers, but only five of them owned the place.  Leon bought it from his old boss Bob Sheppard a few years back.

“He was kind of like a second dad to me because I spent all my life in this shop,” Leon said. “Five days a week.”

Henry Harris has a long history here.  

“He wouldn’t give me that 75 cent haircut no more,” Henry said. “He wanted to go ahead and charge me regular price, but he said it’s still the 75 cent haircut. I just charge more.”

Henry and his brother Roy Harris both used to come to town from Cut and Shoot to get haircuts here many, many moons ago.

“I’ve seen lots of barbers in my lifetime, and he’s about as good as any I’ve ever seen anywhere,” Roy said.

Both brothers went on to have careers in boxing. Roy excelled, facing off with Floyd Patterson in the World Heavyweight Title back in 1958. He even made the cover of Sports Illustrated, and you can guess where he got his haircut.  However, there was a time when Roy didn’t come here for a haircut.

“Kind of funny, when he got married, he decided one day he’d just get his wife to cut his hair,” Henry said. “Well, she didn’t know anything about cutting hair, so about after a couple hours, he called me, and I didn’t know anything about cutting hair either, but we give Roy a haircut. Me and his wife give him a haircut that one time. After that he started coming back here.”

People always seem to come back.

“A guy come in here, he’s 42 years old,” Leon said. “He said, ‘You gave me my first haircut.’ I said, he had a gray beard. I said, ‘No way.’ He said, ‘Oh yeah, there’s a way.’ He says, ‘I promise you. How long you been here?’ I said, ‘I’ve been here 40 years.’ He said, ‘I’m 42. You gave me my first haircut.’ I said, ‘You know what? You got a point. You just made me feel a lot older.’ He said, ‘You cut my dad’s hair, and now you’re cutting my son’s hair.’”

For Leon, there’s so much more to it than just a simple haircut.

“I think it’s nostalgia, the old fashioned haircuts,” Leon said. “You come in here, you don’t feel rushed. Old fashioned haircuts, old fashioned atmosphere, just the personal attention. People don’t get personal attention anymore. People miss that. People are craving service, and that’s what this country’s lacking now is personal service.”

Jonathan Aldana is one of the young bucks around here who appreciates this art form.

“Whenever you go to a barber shop, it’s always like using the old techniques, old methods to get your haircut, and that always attracted, was attractive to me,” Jonathan said. “It does make it feel like an older man, an older gentleman.”

Fortunately, Leon has many years left to keep customers looking their best. In the back of his mind, however, he knows one day he’s going to have find an heir to his chair.

“I’d like to get somebody that gives a quality haircut, that’s got work ethics, that will show up and willing to root in, get established,” Leon said. “Barber shops are a dying breed, I think. Barbershops are-They certainly are. It’s hard to find a barbershop. I think that’s why I have a good business, because people are looking for this kind of shop that has good service.”

For the more experienced, salt and pepper sort of people who have come to this place for a while, it’s about the memories.

“In this town, this is a place that takes you back in time,” Henry said. “It makes you feel warm to see all the pictures in here of the people that you grew up with.”

For the younger generation, it’s about connecting to the past. There truly is nothing like a good, old fashioned haircut, making Shepherd’s Barber Shop a must see on the Texas Bucket List.

“If you go anywhere else, it’s like just go get your haircut,” Jonathan said. “That’s their main goal, to get your haircut. But if you come here, it’s like they know the things that maybe understanding or what’s happened in the past.  It’s an experience for sure.”

 

The Texas Bucket List – Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo

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Laredo – Festive, fun, and full of life.  Celebrating is easy to come by in Laredo, Texas. From January to February, Laredo throws a bash fit for a king, though fortunately he rejected the offer. George Washington was the first President of the United States and down in the border town the George Washington Birthday Celebration is a fitting party for a politician that never affiliated with one.

“We know how to have a really good time,” Veronica Castillon, Lifetime Director of Washington’s Birthday Celebration, said. “We have a great time, but tomorrow morning we gotta get up and do it again, so space yourself, space some energy.”

Veronica plays a huge role in this presidential party that’s been a part of Laredo since 1898.  

“Here in Laredo we’re very good about celebrating El Cinco de Mayo and Diez y Seis de Septiembre,” Veronica said. “We do that very well, so now let’s do something that’s American. Why not George Washington’s birthday?”

The celebration started back in February of 1898 when a fraternal organization called the Improved Order of the Red Men captured city hall in a mock battle. The key to the city was presented to the chief of the tribe, who handed it to Princess Pocahontas.  It’s been said that the Sons of Liberty of the American Revolution held the same sort of ritual, and George Washington posed as the Chief. For some reason, this really resonated with Laredo in the 1800’s, and over 100 years later the party has grown.

“We have the nation’s largest and longest celebration of George Washington,” Veronica said. “Freedom and democracy. We celebrate everything he stood for.”

The majority of the celebration takes place in February.  Parties, parades, pageants and plenty of particulars go into this massive celebration put on by the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association, which offices out of a building built to look like Mount Vernon.

“We’ve got to celebrate something in Laredo that’s truly American,” Veronica said. “If you look inside my closet right now, it looks like Uncle Sam threw up. Everything is red, white, and blue.”

The Martha Washington Pageant is a popular part of celebration as young girls from all over the state showcase fashion that is no longer in style but still incredible to see.

“The dresses, those are works of art,” Veronica said. “You know, if it’s velvet and it’s beaded, if those dresses, and the petticoat. Those things weigh anywhere from 50 to 65 pounds. So you have to learn how to walk and move in it. The first time I put my dress on I go, oh how pretty. And then I tried to move forward, and I couldn’t.”

On the final Saturday of the month, hundreds gather on the square in Laredo and march towards Mexico because a celebration of this size just isn’t the same unless you invite your neighbors. The international bridge is closed off to traffic and grandiose displays of patriotism from both sides of the border can be seen. Slowly, delegations from Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo in Mexico make their way to the middle of the bridge. After all the spectacles have subsided, four children emerge.  A boy and girl from Mexico and another pair from the U.S.A. meet in the middle. The future of the two countries aren’t here to debate or to get a look at what life is like on the other side of the border, they’re here to hug.

“To me the bridge ceremony is the heart of our celebration,” Veronica said. “It’s just the way of us every year, announcing to the world, or demonstrating to the world, our friendship. The river that runs through here, it’s not a divider, it’s actually a connector. We drink the same water, we ride the same bridges on a daily basis.”

The children make way for adults, city, state, and even national leaders to exchange flags and do something this world so desperately needs: Take a moment to show a little love for one another.

“We have so much in common with our friends and families in Nuevo Laredo,” Veronica said. “We’re human, we all bleed the same, I like to say. We like to party together. And we like to build relationships. We like to build strong, safe communities for our children and grandchildren.”

The George Washington Birthday Celebration in Laredo is one of kind. It’s a border town with a big place in its’ heart for a man who never even knew what the state of Texas would become.  Somehow, he still brings people together, and being a part of this month long celebration truly is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.

“I really don’t believe that we’re the only community that has a sister city that maintains a long lasting ties that go back hundreds of years,” Veronica said. “But, we’re probably the only one that demonstrates it so festively as we do here in Laredo during Washington’s birthday.”